Kwame Kilpatrick Rebrands as Republican-Adjacent

DETROIT — Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, once a prominent figure in Democratic politics, has shifted his political alignment and is now advocating for Donald Trump’s re-election. Speaking at the 132nd annual Oakland County GOP Party Lincoln Day dinner, Kilpatrick emphasized his newfound conservative views, stating, “I’m not Democrat or Republican,” but expressing a desire to unite voters behind Trump. He reflected on the significant changes within the Democratic Party since his tenure in the 1990s and 2000s, suggesting a disconnect with his earlier political identity. Kilpatrick, who served as mayor from 2001 to 2008, faced a tumultuous path after his resignation, including a 28-year prison sentence for corruption, which was commuted by Trump in January 2021. Now working as a political consultant, he spoke about themes of repentance and redemption, urging attendees to transcend party lines and focus on shared values. “Good men and women do nothing,” he remarked, calling for action among citizens to support their beliefs. The event also featured former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, who reinforced the resilience of the American dream. With Michigan being a key battleground state in the upcoming presidential election, Kilpatrick’s endorsement of Trump signals a notable shift in his political journey. He revealed that he had met Trump at Mar-a-Lago, where he expressed gratitude for the commutation of his sentence.